The Wave April 26

These 3 photos are from the hike into the Wave. We were very very lucky to get a permit. 10 are given months in advance through the internet and then another 10 people can show up at the Paria River BLM office each morning for the lottery. The first day we tried for a permit, 43 people showed up for the 10 spaces. The second day there were only 34 which greatly increased our chances. We were not expecting to get a permit so when our number was called we were extremely surprised. The BLM office had posted how many people had tried for permits each day over the last few weeks. There were a handful of days in the 70's and one day that 80 people were there for the lottery. There was also a posting that 11 people had been cited for being in the wave without permits in the month of April. The fine was $525. Our cost was $7 per person.

The Wave is a magical place where the colorful sandstone gives itself to mind-boggling psychedelic gyrations.

Concerns about widespread damage to this pristine area led to the establishment of a quota system in 1997, restricting visitation to a total of 20 people per day. (information from Photographing the Southwest Volumn 2)

After reaching The Wave, we walked a little further South. We were told that they are calling this the second wave. The ranger told us that according to Google Earth their are suppose to be 8 waves.

The photo below was taken between the waves. The color was amazing!

Back in The Wave and a moment of play.

Bob found a perfect moment to catch a wave, in The Wave!

There were 2 photo guys there all set up with their nice gear. One of them told us this area in the shade would not be good right now for photo's. The colors look OK to me!